Store ejection system utilizing a mixed fuel and oxidizer in a power source

Abstract

A store ejection system for an aircraft includes a store ejector, and a power source for the store ejector. The power source has a fuel supply of a flowable combustible fuel, an oxidizer supply of a flowable oxidizer, a combustion chamber that controllably receives the combustible fuel from the fuel supply and the oxidizer from the oxidizer supply and forms a combustible mixture thereof, an igniter that controllably ignites the combustible mixture in the combustion chamber, and a combustion-gas line extending from the power source to the store ejector.

Description

[0001]This invention relates to store ejection systems for deployable stores, such as bombs, fuel tanks, and reconnaissance pods, on an aircraft.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]An external deployable store, such as a bomb, is usually supported below an aircraft with an ejection system. The ejection system includes a pair of suspension hooks that engage the lugs on the top side of the store. When the store is to be released, the suspension hooks are operated to disengage the lugs so that the store may fall away from the aircraft. The suspension hooks are usually released by the firing of a pyrotechnic device activated by an electrical current. The resulting gases formed by the explosion of the pyrotechnic device create enough force to rotate the hooks free of the lugs and release the store.[0003]The use of only a hook-and-lug arrangement was workable for some of the early types of slowly flying aircraft. The force of gravity was sufficient to allow the store to fall away from the ai...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]The store-ejector power source of the present approach is based upon a controllable combustion of the fuel and the oxidizer in a combustion chamber that generates a pressurized gas to power the ejector. The fuel and oxidizer are safe and reliable to use. The gaseous combustion product i...

Problems solved by technology

For more modern, faster aircraft, the air flow on the underside of the aircraft may interfere with the smooth, controllable dropping of the store away from the aircraft after it is released.

One drawback is that each power source allows for only one release or ejection.

This inability to utilize the power source for multiple ejections not only creases added cost and down time, but it is also a safety hazard.

Occasionally, stores become caught or “hung” on the hooks after the power source has been used.

This becomes a risk because of the lack of control over when or where the store is released.

In addition, the combustion product of the pyrotechnic...

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